Chelsea J Hodgkiss-Harlow1, Lawrence F Eichenfield2, Magdalene A Dohil3. 1. University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California. 2. University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California; Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California. 3. University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California; Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California. Electronic address: mdohil@rchsd.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Assessment of adverse effects in pediatric patients on oral isotretinoin has not been standardized and the exact incidence is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine the usefulness of an isotretinoin symptom survey as a screening tool for assessment and quantification of adverse effects, including psychiatric symptoms, during isotretinoin treatment in a pediatric population of different age groups. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review on a random sample of patients treated with isotretinoin at a tertiary pediatric dermatology clinic where patients completed an isotretinoin symptom survey at each visit. Responses were stratified by age group and psychiatric history. RESULTS: The charts of 102 patients, representing 123 courses of isotretinoin and 760 treatment-months, were reviewed. A total of 722 (95.0%) symptom surveys were complete and 38 (5.0%) were incomplete/missing. Recorded side effects were similar to published adult data; dry lips/dry skin were reported in 94.25% and 72.13% of treatment-months of isotretinoin, respectively. Psychiatric symptoms were reported in 1.65%, with no statistical difference between patients with or without a mental health history. Patients aged 11 to 15 years had similar side-effect profiles to those aged 16 to 21 years. Impaired night vision, nosebleeds, and dry/bloodshot eyes were more common in the older age group. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective chart review, with known limitations. The study was performed at a tertiary referral center for pediatric dermatology, possibly allowing patient selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: The isotretinoin symptom survey appears to be an effective screening tool to standardize monitoring of isotretinoin side effects in the pediatric population.
BACKGROUND: Assessment of adverse effects in pediatric patients on oral isotretinoin has not been standardized and the exact incidence is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine the usefulness of an isotretinoin symptom survey as a screening tool for assessment and quantification of adverse effects, including psychiatric symptoms, during isotretinoin treatment in a pediatric population of different age groups. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review on a random sample of patients treated with isotretinoin at a tertiary pediatric dermatology clinic where patients completed an isotretinoin symptom survey at each visit. Responses were stratified by age group and psychiatric history. RESULTS: The charts of 102 patients, representing 123 courses of isotretinoin and 760 treatment-months, were reviewed. A total of 722 (95.0%) symptom surveys were complete and 38 (5.0%) were incomplete/missing. Recorded side effects were similar to published adult data; dry lips/dry skin were reported in 94.25% and 72.13% of treatment-months of isotretinoin, respectively. Psychiatric symptoms were reported in 1.65%, with no statistical difference between patients with or without a mental health history. Patients aged 11 to 15 years had similar side-effect profiles to those aged 16 to 21 years. Impaired night vision, nosebleeds, and dry/bloodshot eyes were more common in the older age group. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective chart review, with known limitations. The study was performed at a tertiary referral center for pediatric dermatology, possibly allowing patient selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: The isotretinoin symptom survey appears to be an effective screening tool to standardize monitoring of isotretinoin side effects in the pediatric population.